THE MAGAZINES.
THE first article in the _Nineteenth Century is a really remark- able one, and should be carefully studied by every one who is interested in the general politics of the world. It is by Mr. Frederick Greenwood, and is a statement of what be believes to be the key to the present situation,—namely, the decision of the statesmen of Continental Europe that their people cannot live without a larger share of the trade of the world, and their consequent resolve to combine rather than allow England to monopolise any more of it. They will avoid war if they can, contenting themselves with menaces, but if there is no other way, they will, under Russian guid- ance, commence a series of wars for the sake of industrial profits, which will be waged relentlessly and on a great scale. This is the ultimate cause of the struggle in West Africa, on the Nile, and especially in the Far East, where Russia hoped to make a transaction with Great Britain and divide the spoil. Her offer, made three years ago, was rejected by Lord Rosebery, and this country is, therefore, isolated or forced into alliance with the Yellow Powers, a policy which Mr. Greenwood considers short-sighted and immoral. This thesia is worked out in some detail, and of course, Mr. Greenwood being the writer, with great vigour of diction. In the main we agree with it, with this single reserve, that we doubt whether in the long-run the deep-seated jealousies of the- Continent will give way to their newly developed desire for trade beyond seas. It looks at present as if they might, but we do not altogether trust appearances, or believe, for example, that France will ever be governed for long by purely industrial aspirations. She at least is not pressed by an in- creasing population. Still, there is no doubt of the general movement, and it has rarely been more vividly depicted than by Mr. Greenwood, who ought, however, to have given us some hint of the ally whom he would have us seek. The only two. who could fully aid us, and might on terms be induced to do it,. are France and America ; but would Mr. Greenwood heartily accept either P—The next article, on "The Expansion of Germany," by Mr. Henry Birchenough, fills up a chink in Mr. Greenwood's, the writer holding that, for reasons he- assigns, Germany cannot become a world-Power, but that she will lay aside all her present disputes in order to become a great trading Power, and by devoting all the energies not only of her people but of her Government to that end she- will ultimately succeed. We are not so sure, Germany not being by nature a maritime State, and being terribly handi- capped by her military position ; but that this will be her effort we believe as strongly as Mr. Birchenough.—M.. Alphonse de Calonne writes on a well-worn theme, but his paper on "French Officialism" will interest all who care about the organisation of foreign States. He declares that there ie. a steady increase in the number of French officials, that it exceeds the seven hundred and fifty thousand now publicly admitted, and that the majority, even of the higher grades, are- discontented with their pay. This is a provocation to the dis- honest to increase their receipts by corruption, of which. M. de Calonne gives curious instances in the Education Department, and to the honest to do as little official, work as they can, so that they may have time to do extra, jobs for the outside public. They write, or they culti- vate the arts, or they keep the books of business firms,. or in many cases—this is new to us—they qualify them- selves for better posts by extensive reading. Naturally under such circumstances it takes five men to do one man's work, and the Government will not reduce their number because it wishes to have at its disposal a civilian army which is steady, patient, and devoted to the powers that be. The picture is a curious and interesting one, though the writer does not possess or does not display much pictorial power.
Major G. J. Yonnghusband's paper on "The Permanent Pacification of the Indian Frontier" is a rather brief statement that the plans we have adopted have not succeeded yet, anà that success must be sought through road-making and universal disarmament. Does not that imply a previous and very complete conquest? We do not believe that disarmament, in particular, is even possible ; while we reject the proposal to make roads for our benefit by the "free," that is, the- unpaid, labour of the tribes, with something of indignation.. What earthly right have we to compel two millions of people to do unpaid work in order to secure their OWD subjugation ? We wish Major Younghusband, or anybody else who knows the Frontier, would tell us a little more clearly why pacification is necessary at all. India has got on for a century with the Himalaya unpacified, and whence,. then, all this hurry P—Mr. G. M. Chesney, editor of the Pioneer, sends a very curious essay on "The Native Press in India." Its essence is that the freedom of the Press is in India a mischievous thing, the native journalists forming, almost of necessity, a parely literary opposition, whose end is acrid criticism, but that as it haw been granted, it cannot be taken away. Regulating laws are of no use except to alter modes of expression, and we must just bear the consequences of our own blunder. In that counsel we agree, but for a different reason. We deny absolutely our right to silence a continent, as we should deny our right to. starve it. We gravely question whether in the end the free- dom of expression which we permit will injure oar rule. but if it will we would still permit it. All we can rightfully do is to punish libel, and this we would do just as we punish assault, by moderate sentences to be inflicted by trustworthy stipendiaries.—The only other article we have read with much interest is Lieutenant-Colonel Sir G. S. Clarke's on Captain Mahan's advice to his countrymen, an almost unanswerable paper, the gist of which is that Captain Mahan's demands are
exorbitant and really amount to a revival by the United States of the old Spanish policy under which no one had any right to do anything anywhere within the two Americas with- out Spanish consent. That is a possible demand only if the Union will protect and guide all the territory she claims to shelter with her flag.
The first paper in the Contemporary Review, "The Breaking up of the Austrian Empire," by N. E. Prorok, is a very careful and interesting account of the dangers to which Austria is now exposed from the revived antagonisms of race within the Empire. The writer believes that nothing will induce the Germans to yield, and that as they can appeal for aid to North Germany, the aspirations of the .Czechs will never be realised,—a fact which he says they recognise, but which adds to their bitterness. He himself trusts to the Emperor Francis Joseph, but is convinced that if the Emperor abolished the present representation by classes in favour of universal suffrage the people of Cisleithan Austria would sink all racial disputes in favour of economic discus- sion. That is not the experience of this country or of America, and seems to us founded on the old fallacy that men are first of all divided about their bread. What income would a Californian take to let a Spaniard govern him P- There is another serious paper, on "The Problem of the Far East," but it is vitiated by the writer's set conviction that the great moving spring of affairs is the determination of three European Powers to expel Japan from Wei-hai-wei. If that were so the Powers would be delighted at our offer to lend the money, after receiving which the Japanese are bound to evacuate the port.—Mr. John Foster Fraser, who has traversed 'Yunnan on a bicycle, says its trade is not worth having as compared with trade on the Yangtse. Very likely, though other explorers take a different view ; but still it may 'be worth having for itself, especially to enrich Burmah. The end of trade is profit, and some of these "wild" trades are 'very profitable.—The editor prints, having apparently him- self translated, an anticipatory sketch of a play about to be published in English, which has taken the German world by storm. It is by Gerhart Hauptmann, and had the honour of being rejected by the Emperor after the Schiller prize had 'been awarded to it by the judges. Twenty-eight editions are said to have been sold in eight months; and it is being played at thirty theatres in Germany and Austria. It seems to be a poetical rendering of the conflict between the claims of duty and of art upon an artist's:mind, art winning, of course ; but we can pass no opinion upon it in its present form.—The Rev. J. Mackenzie, a great authority, pleads with much force and many illustrations of his thesis that the annexation of Bechuanaland to Cape Colony was a mistake, and that the Imperial Government should once again resume the govern- ment of the territory, an arrangement which the tribal chiefs are willing to facilitate. We entirely believe his very temperate arguments, but we doubt if the Cape would resign its greatest possession, or if the Imperial Parliament would resume the territory against the will of the Cape Parliament. Mr. Mackenzie would do more for his clients by showing the best -way of governing Bechuanaland under the new conditions.— " A Moderate Radical," in a paper on "The National Liberal Federation," says its programme came into existence quite naturally, and that it in no way fetters the leaders of the party. We should rather like to hear their opinion on that subject, but the whole discussion is for the present academic. By the time the Liberals are again in power we may all be discussing the Yellow Peril, or the best way to defend South Africa, or what taxes can be most safely revived to support a failing revenue.
The most interesting article in the National Review is "The Russian Advance on India," by Mr. E. C. Ringler Thomson, who tells us that he fought throughout the Afghan War in the ranks, and that he has since been Assistant-Agent to the Governor-General of India and H.M. Vice-Consul for Khorasan and Sistan. Mr. Rangier Thomson writes with an eagerness and vigour which make his article attractive, but we cannot agree with all his conclusions. When, however, he is stating facts he is well worth listening to. Here is his account of General Kouropatkine, the new Russian Minister of War, whom he knew as Governor of Transcaspia :— "He is still in the prime of life, not yet fifty years of age, has served from the commencement of his career in Central Asia, has taken a leading part in its conquest, and has made some im- portant contributions towards its literature. He thoroughly knows the various countries and thoroughly understands the people inhabiting them, and their modes of diplomacy and war- fare. He was Chief of the Staff to the great Skobeleff during the Russo-Turkish war, and greatly distinguished himself in it. Indeed, there is little doubt that some of Skobeleff's laurels were won by him. Skobeleff was the dashing, impetuous, reckless leader ; Konropatkine the cool, patient, calculating corrective who restrained him. He is a man of indomitable will, of untiring industry, master of his profession as a soldier, a great civil administrator, deliberate of speech, exceedingly gentle and modest in manner, and with a temper always under controL He wears the first class of the Order of St. George (equivalent to our Victoria Cross), and his courage is of the type which does not comprehend fear. He is the strictest of disciplinarians, but beloved and respected by all, and his own good qualities are perforce in a great measure reflected in those serving under him. He is, indeed, the equal in every respect of any Commander we could place in the field to oppose him."
Very interesting, too, is Mr. Ringler Thomson's description of the hardiness and indifference to luxury, and even comfort, shown by the Russian officers in Central Asia.—Mr. Bernard Holland, who always writes not only thoughtfully but with charm, gives an account of "An Eton Master," Mr. William Johnson, who was the author of Ion'ica, and who in later life changed his name to Cory. Mr. Holland's picture is certainly most attractive; but there is a certain vein of sentimentality about many of the poems in Ionica which, in spite of their poetic grace, makes them unpleasant.— " The Month in America," the most valuable budget of political criticism sent us from the other side, de- clares that there are signs in the States of a change in public feeling on international questions. A reaction is setting in against the old belief that America must stand aloof from all alliances. But if America ever allies herself with any one it will, in spite of Anglophobia, be with England, for England alone gives equality of opportunity in the matter of trade.—In the "Colonial Chronicle" the editor, we regret to see, supports the demand of the West Indian sugar-planters for countervailing duties on bounty-fed sugar. We will not enter upon the abstract question whether the imposition of ccarntervailing duties is or is not contrary to Free-trade, because it is certain that the countervailing of the bounties would not really help the West Indies. When Java, Queens- land, Egypt, and Hawaii can grow cane-sugar at a profit in spite of the bounties, it is clear that it is not the bounties, but other causes which are killing the West Indian industry.
The Fortnightly Review has an interesting, though somewhat paradoxical article on M. Hanotaux. The French Foreign Minister is thus described :— "lie has somewhere drawn the portrait of statesmen sprung from Picardy : They are all men of enterprise, of clear intelli- gence, of a ready hand, of energetic decision, of authority at times almost brutal.' I am afraid his native country must disown him. In this timid scholar buried in his documents, fearing in the tribune the ironical cries of " Lisez, monsieur !" from the Socialist party, and at every interruption turning supplicating glances towards M. Meline,there is nothing of his fellow-country- men, John Calvin and Camille Desmoulins. And yet this man of patience, with his light fatalism, mistrustful to excess and ex- ceeding supple, is the right Minister for the French Republic. The Republic—that is to say, the sum of the interests of financiers, of artisans, of land-owners, of proprietors in the funds —as everybody knows, aspires before all to rest and tranquillity. Like a faithful servant M. Hanotaux guarantees her peace with-
out the humiliations of it Obviously, we cannot raise statues to a man like that, or bestow his name on market-places or on thoroughfares. But who knows what the future is reserving for him? Like all men with great ambitions, he believes in his star, and fate has never yet ceased to flatter him. Nobody can resist him. He makes his will felt in Africa, in Asia, at the heart of the Concert of Europe."
This is the view which we venture to assert is held at the bottom of their hearts by most of the Foreign Ministers of Europe. They like Hanotaux personally ; they sneer at him a little as a professor and an official; but they are also a little afraid of him because of the astonishing good luck which he seems to carry with him.-111 who care for the curious literary and psychological problems that centre in Shake- speare's sonnets should read Mr. S. Lee's luminous paper on "Shakespeare and the Earl of Pembroke." As far as we can see, Mr. LET has once and for all destroyed, smashed, and pulverised the theory that the sonnets were addressed to Lord Pembroke. Mr. Lee leaves that hypothesis absolutely without a rag. Whom the sonnets were addressed to he does not profess to have discovered beyond a doubt, but be inclines to the theory that it was Lord Southampton. We cannot praise too highly Mr. S. Lee's method of attacking his subject. He does not make clever shots or try wild charges of light cavalry on the beleaguered city, but goes steadily and care- fully to work, bringing to bear on the place he wishes to take a full siege-train of learning and scholarship. If this method is persisted in the fort may yet be taken.—The Fortnightly has two Chinese articles, and a West Indian article by Sir George Baden-Powell, who distinctly states it to be his opinion that the abolition of the bounties would not by itself save the situation in the West Indies.
Blackwood has several readable articles. To those who are either keen Jacobites or keen Anti-Jacobites "Queen Ogle- thorpe," by "A. S." and "A. L," will prove an extremely delightful paper. Though a little confused in arrangement, the artiele tells with much wit and entertainment the story of Miss Oglethorpe and her sisters, three young ladies of Godalming who played a notable part in the earlier Jacobite intrigues, and the eldest of whom was, in a very topsy-turvy fashion indeed, imported by Thackeray into Esmond as Beatrix. It is a fascinating story as told by "A. S." and "A. L.," but we shall not attempt to boil it down here. We may note, however, that the writers seem to think that in all probability the Young Pretender was actually in hiding at Westbrook House, Godalming, in 1752. "A. L." character- istically adds that a tall, brown-haired ghost haunts the house, and that a lady who lately looked over Westbrook Place with the idea of taking it had a feeling that very interesting things had happened there.—" The Spanish Crisis " is an article packed with important information as regards the Cuban revolt. A more deplorable story cannot be imagined. The only chance of putting down the revolt would be to send good troops. Bat the Spanish Government, though it has some of these, prefers to keep them at home, and sends recruits so raw that it has happened that officers have had to teach their soldiers how to load when actually under fire. The article contains a terrible picture of General Weyler,—" a boundless arrogance, a capacity for savage cruelty, and an illimitable incompetence." —The 'Gay Gordon& " is a pleasant description of the Gordon clan and their power of leading and fighting. They boast among the governing classes four ennobled families and five Baronets.—" The Crisis in China" is a singularly well- informed article, and has a very useful sketch-map which shows what a large piece of Manchuria has been absorbed by Russia since 1858. She took the Amor province in 1858, and the coast province, which includes Vladivostock, in 1860.
This month's Cosmopolis contains an appreciation of Daudet by Mr. Edmund Gosse. Mr. Gomm agrees with M. Jules Claretie that Daudet was a realists wile "fascinated by the mirthful side of Southern exaggeration," with whom, never- theless, "the fountain of tears lies close to the surface." Spielhagen (German) writes four charming pages about the "poet Daudet," who he thinks was not a realist at all, but a romance-writer who saw everything through the medium of fancy.—Edonard Rod contributes a clever dialogue between a monk and an artist on the "Transformation of the Idea of God" (French). Each speaker leads up to the other's brilliant replies, and each remains of his original conviction. As will the reader.—Mr. Zangwill in "A Maker of Lenses" ventures to make Spinoza the hero of a story. He shows us the philosopher at the Hague in danger of his life from the fury of an ignorant populace who have beard of his books. Why, he laments, "should those who cannot read so run to damn "—Mr. Henry Norman in "The Globe and the Island" draws a black picture of the political situation for England to look at, but declares that the ugly outlook will have a tonic effect on a people who have been "fat too long, and lazy too long, and rich too long," and have forgotten how their fathers won the Empire.—" Ignotus " (German) assures us in his article on Politics from a German Point of View" that Germany is seeking nothing but commercial advantage in China, the English public, as he thinks, still suspecting a political aim. Be gathers this from the outburst in the English Press of
unfriendly feeling towards Germany, and quotes (to differ from) Sir Matthew White Ridley's speech maintaining that England's naval supremacy will enable her to withstand any coalition of Powers in the East. The present condition of Egypt and India, he thinks, shows her vulnerable points, and France and Russia together might seriously threaten her Empire ; strained relations between England and Germany would cause Germany also to draw nearer to Russia. This turn of events, he admits, could not happen immediately. "Happily, facts move slower than fancy." Happily, yes.— "Tom" (French) is a farcical little story by Jacques Normand, describing a visit to a country house whose amenity was spoiled by the antics of a pet pointer. It might be drama- tised to suit a Punch-and-Judy show whose cast is limited to two or three puppets and one dog.
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